MF Spectras flashing and resetting during set

DJTT Gear & Custom Mods Midi Fighters
1

MF Spectras flashing and resetting during set

Hi guys,

I just wrote an eMail to Techtools. I have been in touch with the gents about this issue for a few months now but we have not been able to resolve this problem entirely which is why I want to find out if anyone has come across the same issues.

My setup is:
MBP 2013 model
Traktor 2 Pro
NI Audio 2
2 MF Spectras (connected via powered Belkin hub)

This is part of my eMail to Techtools to explain the issue:

Yesterday I played two sets. During the first one I already noticed that one of my two MF Spectras did respond kind of “slow”. A regular press of the buttons did not work and I had to press it harder and a few times in order to get the buttons to respond. The other unit was fine, no issues. After the gig I packed up and went to the next gig.

I had the same issue after 20 minutes but this time the unit flashed when trying to press the button a bit harder. With a four hour set ahead of me this was a nightmare. I unplugged everything but the soundcard to keep the music running. I took the power chord of the powered USB hub out and exchanged with another powered hub (both Belkin), its connection to the computer, unplugged all MFs, changed every USB cable I used on the MFs and - because I am German and if there is one positive thing about Germans it is usually a sense of organization - swopped one MF with my back up unit. I left everything unplugged for about ten minutes, to cool off or whatever the case can happen in ten minutes, I just left everything disconnected.

Once reconnected and with the new unit everything worked fine. For 10 minutes. Then both MFs flashed simultaneously and that was the end of it. I did not try putting things back into place because in the past this has not proven to be successful. When they flash once, they will keep on doing that. I played 3.5 hours of that set with my mouse cursor doing the shit in Traktor I usually control with my MFs. It felt like I lost 10kg after the set sweating bullets…
How I usually go about fixing this problem is connecting it to the MF utility and even though it says “Up to date” I still press “Send to Midifighter”. I do that on a monthly basis anyways and I just did that last week as part of my routine which is why I am so surprised I had this issue yesterday.

I guess it can only be either:

  • the MF
  • the USB cable from the MF to the hub
  • the hub (power / connection to laptop / …)
  • extraterrestrials

If you have experienced this problem as well or have an idea what can cause it please do post your ideas here, that would be a huge bit of help, thanks guys!

2

I experienced some problems very similar to this when I first set up my Twister, and also had the similar issues with my Spectra when I first got that. I fixed it both times. I needed to uninstall Traktor and do a fresh install. Not the easy solution you are probably looking for, but it is just an issue within Traktor a lot of times introducing new gear and complex mappings. I noticed many people on DJTT recommend a fresh install of Traktor to correct lots of the problems.

3

Thank you Lance! Wow, rather heavy, bit scared to follow through with that, but I guess if that fixes the issue then I gotta do it. Gonna wait on Techtools to come back to me and if they have any further ideas I will post them here… thanks again!

4

Right, like I said, probably not the most convenient fix, but it worked for me.

5

After re-installing Traktor has the problem NEVER re-occured?

6

It occurred again when i introduced new hardware… Then re-installed again. If you are like me and don’t change your setup often then its an ok solution for you.

7

Before you do any re-installing try deleting the ‘Traktor Settings.tsi’ file. Then start traktor again and configure the wizard - this should set up traktor with new settings.

I’ve ring the DJTT support about this…

I hope you get sort out soon :slight_smile:

8

Thanks guys, bit worried to do this whole re-installing to be honest. You reckon settings.tsi file is enough to be deleted though…?

Techtools also recommended re-install to erase bugs…

9

I tried deleting the ‘Traktor Settings.tsi’ and it didn’t fix it for me. Traktor has its bugs, that’s why the re-install is recommended.

10

@LanceBlaise when newly installed do you set everything up from scratch? how about playlists? what do you important from the old install and what do you set up new?